Think green this holiday season

Published December 01, 2009

It has been said that between Thanksgiving and New Years, Americans throw away an extra million tons of garbage each week. This trash includes wrapping, packaging, cards, food, paper plates and napkins, party decorations, bottles and cans, and more. That is a lot of garbage! Have you thought about ways you can reduce, reuse, and recycle this holiday season? We have!
Each year we like to provide our visitors and followers with simple tips on how to be more conscious of our planet while joining in the holiday spirit. You may remember some of these tips from last year because they are too important to leave off the list. We have also added some new tips to help you go green, and hopefully even save a little green this month.
When decorating:

Buy a potted or “balled” Christmas tree and replant it after the holidays. You can create a year-round habitat for local wildlife.

If you purchase a cut tree, recycle or mulch the tree for use in gardens and playgrounds. Avoid discarding it in a landfill.

Trim your tree with edible ornaments like popcorn, cranberries or gingerbread cookies! Later, move your tree into the yard to give the birds a holiday treat.

Conserve electricity by installing a timer on holiday lights. Even better, invest in LED holiday lights which use 90% less electricity.

Choose candles made from beeswax or soy. Because parafﬁn wax candles are made from petroleum and release the equivalent of diesel exhaust when burned, you can save fossil fuel resources, improve your indoor air quality, and reduce your exposure to carcinogens by using beeswax or soy candles.